Which Sunscreen is Recommended by the Most Pediatricians and Dermatologists for Children in 2024?

The Doctor Recommended Product Series

Does your precious little one love to be outside, like all the time, like refuses to come indoors, kind of like a feral animal, but you love them and want their skin protected?  Unsure of which suntan lotion is the safest and nontoxic and most effective and UVA/UVB blocking and environmentally friendly that won’t destroy the coral reefs and mineral based and a physical blocker but every suntan lotion on the market looks exactly the same and it’s driving you insane?  Stick around and we’ll go over the components of a quality suntan lotion for kids, the recommendations for sunscreen application by the American Academy of Dermatology, and the 6 suntan lotions recommended by the most Dermatologists and Pediatricians in 2024!

Sunburns, which back in the day were a pretty much ubiquitous if you had any semblance of a childhood, are now known to increase your chances of a dangerous skin cancer called melanoma.  Even just 5 mild sunburns early in life can double your risk for skin cancer.  Therefore it is important for children to protect their skin with UV protective clothing and suntan lotion.  But what separates the good suntan lotions from the ineffective ones who never seem to rub into your skin and burn when they get in your eyes?

Which are better Mineral or Chemical Sunscreens?

If you’ve done any digging on sunscreens for children, you may keep hearing that mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are better than chemical sunscreens for your kid.  While both sunscreens are effective at blocking harmful UV rays from penetrating into the DNA of your skin cells, the components of mineral sunscreens are known to be safe for use in children while the FDA says the active ingredients in chemical sunscreens like oxybenzone and octioxate need to be studied more before they can be deemed safe by the organization.  Additionally, a great resource that lists all the ingredients in your sunscreen and cross references whether those ingredients are known to be harmful can be found at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) website (https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/best-sunscreens/baby-kids-sunscreens/ ).

What is SPF?

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and is a measure of the amount of solar energy a suntan lotion can protect your skin from.  While time is a factor in the amount of solar energy your skin endures, the time of day your skin is exposed, the fairness of your skin, and the amount of suntan lotion you use or timing between reapplication can also influence the amount of solar energy that hits your body.  Therefore SPF is not a measure of time but rather a way for consumers to compare the protectiveness of the products they’re considering using (https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/center-drug-evaluation-and-research-cder/sun-protection-factor-spf).   Pediatricians and Dermatologists agree looking for an SPF of 40 or more is generally a good place to start and all of the top recommended products by doctors on our list were SPF 50.

What other qualities should I look for in a Sunscreen for my child?

Dermatologists and Pediatricians recommend looking for water resistant, fragrance free sunscreens to reduce the chances allergic reactions forming on sensitive.  Additionally looking for “noncomedogenic” lotions means the lotion will not clog your child’s pores. 

I've heard I shouldn't use sunscreen on babies under 6 months old?

Sun tan lotion is not recommended for children under the age of 6 months old but not because once they turn 6 months and 1 day old their skin becomes less absorbent and the components of a sunscreen can no longer hurt them.  Rather, Dermatologists recommend children under the age of 6 months old avoid the sun completely and prefer the use of UV blocking clothing if your child will be exposed for an extended period of time. 

How should I apply sunscreen to my child? How long should I wait to reapply sunscreen?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology these are the recommendations for sunscreen application for children:

• Apply sunscreen to dry skin 15 minutes before going outdoors

• When outdoors, reapply sunscreen approximately every two hours, or after swimming or sweating, according to the directions on the bottle

• Creams are best for dry skin and applying on the face

• Sticks are good to use around the eyes.

• It can be difficult to know if you have used enough sunscreen to protect all sun-exposed areas of the body

• Spray until your (or your child’s) skin glistens, then rub the sunscreen into the skin to get even coverage.

• Do not apply spray sunscreen while you are smoking, near heat, or close to an open flame.

• Avoid inhaling spray sunscreen by never spraying it around or near the face or mouth and not spraying it into the wind.

• Of note all the sunscreens recommended by Pediatricians and Dermatologists on our list were cream based

So which brands were the top recommended sunscreens for children?

Our search turned up 10 articles and 2 youtube videos published between July 2023 and July 2024 with a Pediatrician or Dermatologist specifically quoted endorsing a brand of sunscreen.  That gave us the opinion of 1 Board Certified Pediatrician and 22 Board Certified Dermatologist’s to determine the top recommended sunscreen for children in 2024!

Number 6: Sun Bum Baby Bum Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50

Number 6 on our list of top recommended sunscreens for children is Sun Bum Baby Bum Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 . Recommended by 4 Dermatologists, Sun Bum Baby Bum Mineral Sunscreen was noted to be fragerance free, paraben free with a non-greasy formula that effectively blocks UVA and UVB radiation (https://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/g27534029/the-best-sunscreen-for-kids-babies/). According to the Environmental Working group, however, this product received a 6 of 10 rating (0 being certified safe products and 10 being dangerous products to avoid) due to use of butylcotyl salicylate which has limited safety data and can be an irritant to skin or eyes (https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/about-the-sunscreens/1023953/Baby_Bum_Mineral_Sunscreen_Lotion%2C_SPF_50/).  

Number 5: Supergoop! Sunnyscreen 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 50

Number 5 on our list of top recommended sunscreens for children is Supergoop! Sunnyscreen 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 50. Recommended by our 1 Pediatrician and 3 Dermatologists, doctors appreciated Supergoop's hydrating formula and water resistance (https://www.today.com/shop/best-kids-sunscreens-rcna91876). According to the Environmental Working Group Supergoop received a 3 out of 10 for safety due to concern for product breakdown in the bottle before use (https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/about-the-sunscreens/986828/Supergoop%21_PLAY_100%25_Mineral_Sunscreen_Lotion_with_Green_Algae%2C_SPF_50/).

Number 4: Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+

Number 4 on our list of top recommended sunscreens for children is Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+. Recommended by 4 Dermatologists for its non-nano Zinc Oxide formulation and 80 minutes of water resistance (https://nypost.com/article/best-baby-sunscreens-per-dermatologists/). According to the Environmental Working Group, Thinkbaby received a 2 out of 10 safety rating (https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/about-the-sunscreens/1023962/Thinkbaby_Sunscreen_Lotion%2C_SPF_50/).

Number 3: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Kids Gentle Lotion Sunscreen SPF 50

Number 3 on our list of top recommended sunscreens for children is La Roche-Posay Anthelios Kids Gentle Lotion Sunscreen SPF 50. La Roche-Posay was recommended by 5 Dermatologists for its light weight gentle formula with additional Vitamin E and shea ingredients (https://www.prevention.com/beauty/skin-care/g20114917/best-sunscreens-for-kids/). The Environmental Working Group gave La Roche-Possay a 3 of 10 safety rating (https://www.prevention.com/beauty/skin-care/g20114917/best-sunscreens-for-kids/).

Number 2: Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Lotion SPF 50

Number 2 on our list of top recommended sunscreens for children is Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Lotion SPF 50. Recommended by 5 Dermatologists, doctors appreciated Aveeno's hypoallergenic formula with its classic use of oats. Aveeno received a 2 of 10 safety rating from the Environmental Working Group (https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/about-the-sunscreens/934144/Aveeno_Baby_Continuous_Protection_Sensitive_Skin_Zinc_Oxide_Sunscreen_Lotion%2C_SPF_50/).

Number 1: Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen Spf 50+

And number 1 on our list of top recommended sunscreens for children is Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen Spf 50+. Recommended by a whooping 9 Dermatologists, doctors appreciated Blue Lizard's sensitive formula that works well for children with eczema and color changing cap that turns pink when the UV index rises (https://www.countryliving.com/shopping/g44653188/best-sunscreen-for-kids/#product-73e4450d-9dba-4a27-b89f-6b3936b33bb4)!  Interestingly Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen Spf 50+ was not rated by EWG but the stick form received a 2 of 10 (https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/about-the-sunscreens/1023501/Blue_Lizard_Baby_Mineral_Sunscreen_Stick%2C_SPF_50%2B/).

Bonus Information: Environmental Working Group Certified Products

Of note the sunscreen brands for children that received the highest EWG certification for safety were Attitude, ThinkBaby, ThinkSport, Babo Botanicals, and Stream2Sea. It's interesting to note that none of the products certified by EWG were recommended by the physicians online. One explanation could be of the 13 EWG certified products, only 2 were above SPF 30 and products with SPF 50 from our list all had EWG concerns regarding separating/ breaking down in their bottle. On the other hand Dermatologists seem to favor SPF ratings over the concern for product breakdown in the bottle. Of note it is always a good idea to check the expiration date of the products you use and if there are any concerns regarding separation or clumping throw away and avoid use.

Conclusion:

So there you have it the qualities of a good sun tan lotion for children, the recommendations by the AAD for sunscreen application in children and the 6 most recommended sunscreens by Pediatricians and Dermatologists between July 2023 and July 2024. We hope this review gives you the confidence to find a product you can absolutely slather all over your little one's body while feeling confident that you are immersing your child's skin in safe, doctor recommended gunk!

6. Sun Bum Baby Bum Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50: https://amzn.to/4c4kBLN 

5. Supergoop! Sunnyscreen 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 50: https://amzn.to/3zTuWMX 

4. Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+: https://amzn.to/46mGvIK 

3. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Kids Gentle Lotion Sunscreen SPF 50: https://amzn.to/4cYZH1M 

2. Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Lotion SPF 50: https://amzn.to/4cWSQGc 

1. Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen Spf 50+: https://amzn.to/3Ym9uKX 

Sources

1. https://www.aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen. Sunscreen FAQs. American Academy of Dermatology. 4/15/24.

2. https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/best-sunscreens/baby-kids-sunscreens/ Top-rated baby & kids sunscreens. Environmental Working Group. 2024.

3. https://www.cornerstonedermatology.com/blog/bestkidssunscreens 4/23/24.  Written by David Fieleke, MD, FAAD Dermatologist.

4. https://www.nbcnews.com/select/shopping/best-sunscreens-kids-according-dermatologists-ncna1019866. 7/3/2024. Written by Mili Godio with quotes from Hadley King, MD Dermatologist and Rebecca Carter MD Pediatrician.

5. https://www.countryliving.com/shopping/g44653188/best-sunscreen-for-kids/ 4/28/2024. Written by Maribeth B Jones. Quotes from Corey Hartman, MD Dermatologist, Sheilagh Maguiness, MD, Pediatric Dermatologist.

6. https://www.whattoexpect.com/baby-products/baby-skin-care/best-baby-sunscreens/ June 14, 2024. Written by Leah Rocketto. Medically Reviewed by Robin Schaffran, M.D, Dermatologist with quotes from Marissa J. Perman, M.D., Pediatric Dermatologist.

7. https://www.today.com/shop/best-kids-sunscreens-rcna91876 5/31/24. Written by Chrissy Callahan with quotes from Debra Jaliman, MD Dermatologist and  Angela J. Lamb Dermatologist.

8. https://nypost.com/article/best-baby-sunscreens-per-dermatologists/ 5/31/24. Written by Victoria Giardina with quotes from Shereene Idriss, MD, Dermatologist and Brendan Camp, MD, Dermatologist.

9. https://www.glamour.com/gallery/best-baby-sunscreens 3/7/24 2024. Written by Shanna Shipin and Brigitt Earley with quotes by Shari Sperling, MD Dermatologist,  Dendy Engelman, MD, Dermatologist, Mona Gohara, MD, Dermatologist, and Pearl Grimes, MD, Dermatologist.

10. https://www.prevention.com/beauty/skin-care/g20114917/best-sunscreens-for-kids/ 4/18/24. Written by Brittany Risher Englert and Hannah Jeon with quotes from Brendan Camp MD Dermatologist, and Marisa Garshick, M.D Dermatologist.

11. https://www.allure.com/gallery/best-baby-sunscreen 1/1/2024. Written by Macaela Mackenzie with quotes by Claire Chang, MD, Dermatologist and Nava Greenfield, MD Dermatologist.

12. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/g27534029/the-best-sunscreen-for-kids-babies/ Womens Health. 8/1/2023. Written by Maddy Zollo Rusbosin and Emily Becker. Quotes from  Marnie Nussbaum, MD Dermatologist,  Tsippora Shainhouse, MD Dermatologist, Keira Barr MD Dermatologist, and Jordan Carqueville, MD Dermatologist.

13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSC93wp2U70 6/7/2024. Dr. Sam Ellis. Samantha Ellis, MD Dermatologist.

14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_uX_tDSz5E 7/30/2023. Dr. Hannah Kopelman. Hannah Kopelman, DO Dermatologist.

Disclaimer:

Links in the article are affiliate links and the authors of this article as well as the authors of the articles and videos sited may receive compensation from the products featured. This article is not personalized healthcare. You should always speak with your healthcare provider to ensure any products you purchase are right for you.